Ecological studies on the community of drifting seaweeds in the south-eastern coastal waters of Izu Peninsula, central Japan. I: Seasonal changes of plants in species composition, appearance, number of species and size

Hirata, Takayuki; Tanaka, Jiro; Iwami, Tetsuo; Ohmi, Takashi; Dazai, Akihiro; Aoki, Masakazu; Ueda, Hajime; Tsuchiya, Yasutaka; Satô, Toshihiko; Yokohama, Yasutsugu

doi:10.1111/j.1440-1835.2001.tb00252.x

Cited by 27 publications

(23 citation statements)

References 10 publications

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“…Similar observations come from Japanese waters where abundances of floating Sargassum spp. were highest during the main growth season of the benthic sporophytes in spring and early summer (Hirata et al, 2001). The high abundances of floating seaweed in spring are possibly also due to growth on inadequate substrata (small stones or mollusk shells) that lead to rapid detachment from benthic substrata, similar as suggested for other floating algae (Hinojosa et al, 2010).…”

Section: Floating Seaweedsupporting

confidence: 63%

“…seaweed beds, rivers, fishery and shipping activity), (ii) temporal supply dynamics (e.g. annual growth seasons for vegetation or river runoff for wood and litter) (Kingsford, 1992;Johansen, 1999;Hirata et al, 2001;Moore et al, 2002), (iii) their floating potential at the sea surface (Barnes and Fraser, 2003;Vandendriessche et al, 2007;Rothäusler et al, 2009), and (iv) winds, currents and other hydrographic features such as frontal systems that drive dispersal, accumulation and sink processes (Valle-Levinson et al, 2006;Komatsu et al, 2007;Pichel et al 2007;Astudillo et al, 2009;Martinez et al, 2009). In the German Bight floating wood and anthropogenic debris come through the major rivers, and supply may vary during the year due to seasonally varying river runoff.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Dense seaweed populations growing on the rocky island of Helgoland, on mussel beds in the Wadden Sea area, and on artificial shore defenses and harbor structures (Munda and Markham, 1982;Reichert and Buchholz, 2006;Reichert et al, 2008) are local sources of floating algae which originally grow on solid benthic substrata. Seasonal or interannual growth dynamics of seaweeds (Munda and Markham, 1982;Hartnoll and Hawkins, 1985) are expected to produce seasonal patterns in the supply of floating alga (Hirata et al 2001).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Spatio-temporal distribution of floating objects in the German Bight (North Sea)

Thiel

Hinojosa

Joschko

et al. 2011

Journal of Sea Research

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Floating objects facilitate the dispersal of marine and terrestrial species but also represent a major environmental hazard in the case of anthropogenic plastic litter. They can be found throughout the world's oceans but information on their abundance and the spatio-temporal dynamics is scarce for many regions of the world. This information, however, is essential to evaluate the ecological role of floating objects. Herein, we report the results from a ship-based visual survey on the abundance and composition of flotsam in the German Bight (North Sea) during the years 2006 to 2008. The aim of this study was to identify potential sources of floating objects and to relate spatio-temporal density variations to environmental conditions. Three major flotsam categories were identified: buoyant seaweed (mainly fucoid brown algae), natural wood and anthropogenic debris. Densities of these floating objects in the German Bight were similar to those reported from other coastal regions of the world. Temporal variations in flotsam densities are probably the result of seasonal growth cycles of seaweeds and fluctuating river runoff (wood). Higher abundances were often found in areas where coastal fronts and eddies develop during calm weather conditions. Accordingly, flotsam densities were often higher in the inner German Bight than in areas farther offshore. Import of floating objects and retention times in the German Bight are influenced by wind force and direction. Our results indicate that a substantial amount of floating objects is of coastal origin or introduced into the German Bight from western source areas such as the British Channel. Rapid transport of floating objects through the German Bight is driven by strong westerly winds and likely facilitates dispersal of associated organisms and gene flow among distant populations.

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Section: Floating Seaweedsupporting

confidence: 63%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Spatio-temporal distribution of floating objects in the German Bight (North Sea)

Thiel

Hinojosa

Joschko

et al. 2011

Journal of Sea Research

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“…Some studies report an increase in relative abundance of floating seaweed species during particular seasons (Yoshida 1963, Kingsford 1992, Ing ó lfsson 2000, Hirata et al 2001, Hinojosa et al 2010. The presence of floating seaweeds seems to be closely linked to intrinsic seasonal reproductive and growth cycles and especially to the maximum growth in benthic populations of the species.…”

Section: Influence Of Seasonal Environmental Variations On Floating Amentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The main factors influencing the persistence of floating algae at the sea surface are solar radiation, temperature, epibiont load and herbivory (Edgar 1987, Hobday 2000a, Thiel and Gutow 2005, Vandendriessche et al 2007a, Roth ä usler et al 2009, 2011a. Previous studies have recorded seasonal variations in the abundances of floating algae in particular areas (Yoshida 1963, Hobday 2000c, Hirata et al 2001, Hinojosa et al 2010, which may be due either to differences in supply from benthic sources or to variable survival times of algal rafts. Water temperature and solar radiation are particularly important factors that affect the floating persistence of algae (Hobday 2000b, Vandendriessche et al 2007a, Roth ä usler et al 2009, 2011b.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Seasonal variation in floating persistence of detached Durvillaea antarctica (Chamisso) Hariot thalli

Graiff¹,

Karsten

Meyer³

et al. 2012

Botanica Marina

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Several large kelp species are capable of longdistance dispersal via rafting. However, seasonal changes in environmental conditions at the sea surface may variably affect the physiological status of the floating thalli; challenging conditions during summer may accelerate disintegration and cause rapid sinking. We used the bull kelp Durvillaea antarctica from northern-central Chile (30 ° S) to test seasonal variation in floating persistence. Experiments with tethered specimens were conducted in all seasons to assess how variable environmental conditions influence the morphology and photosynthetic characteristics of floating D. antarctica . Floating specimens stayed afloat at the surface for more than 1 month during moderate environmental conditions that prevailed in winter, spring, and fall. However, higher water temperatures and intense solar radiation in summer resulted in significant biomass losses and rapid disintegration of the floating kelps; consequently, they sank within < 1 month. These strong seasonal effects were reflected in decreasing maximal quantum yield as well as in maximum relative electron transport rates of photosynthesis. Understanding physiological responses of floating algae is important because increasing global temperatures and shifts in solar radiation may strongly affect the survival of floating algae, potentially reducing the distances and frequencies of rafting dispersal.

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At the mercy of the winds: The seasonal dynamics of floating and stranded seaweeds at mid‐latitudes

Rothäusler

Hinojosa

Moraga

et al. 2021

Limnology & Oceanography

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Many seaweed species are particularly important for passive marine dispersal, yet relatively little is known about their floating and stranding dynamics. Here, we studied these dynamics for two kelp species over four consecutive years at mid‐latitudes (30°S). Floating kelps were found during all seasons, but Macrocystis pyrifera was always more abundant than Durvillaea incurvata. Highest floating biomasses were reached during summer and fall, whereas considerable stranded biomasses on nearby shores were only observed during summer. The proportion of fragments among the floating kelps was high throughout the entire study period and highest for M. pyrifera during summer. At the same time, blades of M. pyrifera that floated in nearshore waters in summer had a high blade index and thus were intact (i.e., not yet compromised by unfavorable environmental conditions). These results suggest that during summer, floating kelps become quickly resupplied from benthic sources, which compensates their frequent losses due to degradation and stranding. During fall, biomasses of floating kelps remain high because of reduced losses. Interestingly, increased wind speed was a good predictor for the biomass accumulations of the two kelp species, although the floating biomass of M. pyrifera was additionally influenced by oceanographic fronts. Our findings suggest that at mid‐latitudes the dynamics of floating seaweed stocks are dependent on the availability of benthic source populations (continuous throughout the year) and export due to degradation (high in summer/fall) and stranding (high in summer).

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Ecological studies on the community of drifting seaweeds in the south-eastern coastal waters of Izu Peninsula, central Japan. I: Seasonal changes of plants in species composition, appearance, number of species and size

Cited by 27 publications

References 10 publications

Spatio-temporal distribution of floating objects in the German Bight (North Sea)

Spatio-temporal distribution of floating objects in the German Bight (North Sea)

Seasonal variation in floating persistence of detached Durvillaea antarctica (Chamisso) Hariot thalli

At the mercy of the winds: The seasonal dynamics of floating and stranded seaweeds at mid‐latitudes

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